Henry VIII: April 1529, 6-10 | British History Online

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 4, 1524-1530. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1875.

'Henry VIII: April 1529, 6-10', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 4, 1524-1530, (London, 1875) pp. 2386-2400. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol4/pp2386-2400 [accessed 26 April 2024]

April 1529



6 April. Vit. B. XI. 92. B. M. Burnet, IV. 115.	5427. HENRY VIII. to [GARDINER and his COLLEAGUES].
	Since their departure has received sundry letters, the last dated Rome, 4th ult., and has seen their letters to Wolsey. Wonders at their despair of any favor to be had from the Pope, as they had not spoken with him, and the King can perceive nothing but towardness from their conferences with Salviati. The superiority of the Emperor and the common fame has perhaps led them to think the contrary. No credence is to be given to such reports. Has found Campegius to be of a far other sort than was reported, not having such affection to the Emperor as was suspected. Has spoken to him, so that if he had been of another mind he would soon have changed his intention. Charges them to use all diligence in declaring the King's cause to the Pope, in which he trusts they will find great help from the good advice and address of the bishop of Verona. If they cannot be admitted to the Pope's presence, they may signify to the Bishop the King's whole mind. He will be able to counteract the malice of the archbishop of Capua, who is thought to be one of the chief authors of the falsities, crafts, and abuses set forward to hinder the King's cause. He is, therefore, especially to be entertained; but they must gain as many other friends as possible.
	Wonders that Gardiner has not advertised him of what has been done touching the bulls for the King's other matters. Wishes to know by their next letters. They must find out from the bishop of Verona how they can further his promotion to the cardinalate, exhorting him to accept it if it can be obtained, and telling him that the King has written about it. Wishes to know what advocates they have on their side. Desires them to retain some notable and excellent divine, a friar or other, who will firmly stick to that "quod pontifex ex jure divino non potest dispensare, &c." Greenwich, 6 April. Signed at the commencement.
	Pp. 4.
6 April. Vit. B. XI. 94. B. M.	5428. WOLSEY to GARDINER, BRIAN, GREGORY CASALE, and PETER VANNES.
	In his last letters, dated—inst., informed them of the arrival of their letters of the xx ... Feb., and of the non-arrival of those of the 15th. Since then, they have been brought by Antony Bonvice, and on the day following their letters of the 4th inst., sent by the Master of the Rolls. The King and he thank them for their diligence. Thinks that, finding matters in such a state, touching the Pope's sickness and the superiority of the Imperialists in Naples, they have preferred to send information thereof for their discharge, rather than show more towardness than could be afterwards justified; yet the King trusts that they pass over no opportunity for bringing matters to the desired end, nor allow them to be slacked for any event. They have reasonable and necessary ground to communicate the principal points in their charge with his Holiness etiam in ipso articulo mortis; for if the Pope amends, no respect or cause can truly or reasonably be alleged to prevent his accomplishing the King's desire, and if he is in danger of his life, so much the worse would it be for his conscience to pass over one hour or minute in expedition of the same. Since part of their charge consists in proposing to the Pope the devices contrived here for obtaining a peace, to which nothing would so much conduce as a general truce proclaimed by the Pope, under pain of the censures of the Church (which has been done by previous Popes in cases of much less necessity), if the Pope has strength to undertake the mediation of peace, and what they have to propose about the diet, it is evident that, if his Holiness recovers, no superiority or prosperity of the Imperialists, or respect to the Emperor or any other, ought to cause him to make any difficulty therein. Wonders that Jacobo Salviati should have made any exception or doubt as to the obeying of such an indiction, considering that the Emperor holds Naples, Milan and Genoa, and might lose them if the war were continued. He seems also to stand more on defence than otherwise, and has the French king's children as hostages. Nothing could move him to make any difficulty, but rather to thank the Pope for making a truce at a time so much to his advantage. As the kings of England and France are so ready to accept the truce, the Pope would have a good opportunity to set a foundation for the quiet and repose of Christendom. On the other hand, if the Pope is in any danger of life, what could he imagine more meritorious toward God, or more honorable toward the world, than to bequeath peace and quiet to the flock committed to him ? while, by omitting it, he would highly offend both God and the world. He cannot, therefore, avoid doing it, if he intends peace, or any goodness to ensue in Christendom. All, therefore, about his Holiness, who love either his body or his soul, ought earnestly and speedily to advance it.
Barnet's Hist. of the Reformation, IV. 79.	Another part of their charge consists in the expedition of the King's cause of matrimony, which must not be delayed, whether the Pope has hopes of recovery or not. He could not refuse this justice to any man, and if the King desired anything unjust there would be no need for him to recur to the Pope. Both he and his Council, who best know the matter, and to whom it belongs most profoundly to weigh and ponder it, are well assured of its truth, and need only to have the same truth approved and declared; and seeing an untruth alleged, which may bring things into confusion, he communicates to the Pope evidence to convince him of the truth. Not to see this evidence will be an express refusal of justice. The Emperor can make no exceptions to this, as he perhaps best knows the untruth, and the grounds which have constrained the Pope thereto. If his Holiness refuse to declare the law, he must either leave the cause in suspense, to the extreme danger of the King's realm and succession, or else declare both bull and brief to be good; which no Christian man could do. If he do leave the matter in confusion, no prince could tolerate so great an injury. If they have not already spoken to the Pope in this behalf, as the King hopes they have done, they must gain access to him by Jacobo Salviati, the bishop of Verona, and others, and open this matter to him, which will be rather to his comfort and increase of health, than any trouble or unquietness. Hearing these reasons, whether he has hope of amendment or otherwise, he will probably proceed to the indiction, and pass a sufficient and ample decretal. They must now use all diligence about this, however the Pope's sickness continue; and if they cannot have frequent access, must get the bishop of Verona and other friends to speak on the King's behalf, and must break the matter to those cardinals who would favor the kings of England and France at a future election, telling them what they think fit concerning the indiction of truce, the King's cause, and the evidence for the insufficiency of the bull, and falsity of the brief. Desires them also to make sure of the officers of the rota, and others, who, though they will not give counsel to any person but the Pope, may do much good by advising him to hearken to their overtures. They must insist on the staying there of the bishop of Verona, to countervail the archbishop of Capua, who is continually about the Pope. The King and Wolsey, and the French king also, write to the bishop of Verona, and the latter sends the bishop of Bayonne to assist them. Sends them a copy of things to be noted concerning the falsity of the brief, sent by the bishop of Worcester. (fn. 1) They must always remember that the King's cause suffers no negative nor delay, and that the truce is necessary to the King and to the rest of Christendom. These two points they must press importune et opportune, and, in difficulties, try and find a remedy, and not wait for fresh instructions, which will produce too long delay.
	The King proposes that if the Pope's sickness continues, and he is unable to travel to the place devised for making the peace, he should depute Wolsey and Campeggio as his legates for that purpose. Wolsey, however, will not set forward before the King is satisfied in his matter of matrimony.
	Desires them, if the decretals cannot be obtained, to propose to the Pope to amplify the commission granted to Wolsey and Campeggio, so as to authorize them to do as much as the Pope may do of his ordinary and absolute power, with clauses ad decernendum, declarandum et disceptandum jura, leges et rescripta quæcunque hoc matrimonium concernentia, una cum omnibus et singulis dubiis in eadem causa emergentibus, and further to compel all princes and persons, of whatever dignity, to produce, under certain penalties, any record or witness which the Legates might require, so that they will have no cause to send to the Pope again. Gardiner must take especial care about the penning of it, taking the advice of the most expert men. Sends a copy of the former commission, with additions noted in the margin, and a copy of certain clauses in a bull, that he may see how they are couched, to avoid appellation and delay. If the chirograph of pollicitation will not oblige the Pope to confirm all they do by virtue of the commission, they must take care that he is so bound, either by the insertion of words in the commission, or by obtaining a new chirograph. The King desires Brian to bring the commissions and chirograph hither, as soon as they are obtained. The indiction of the truce must still be solicited; for, without it, it would be in vain for Wolsey, either with or without the Pope, to labor for peace. By this way the Pope can proceed to the truce, as a foundation for universal peace, satisfy the King's desires, and avoid any doubt of the Emperor; for he can say that he was too ill to examine the cause himself, and could do no less than commit it to others, as it admitted of no delay. This new device was thought of, for doubt of the Pope's long continuance in sickness, but it is not meant to confine them to this, for they must consider what is best for the King's purpose. Whatever they get must be such that there will be no need to write or send again for reformation thereof. Leaves them at liberty to do what they think best. If the Pope refuses all their desires, it will be a sign that he is expressly adverse to the King, and in that case they must proceed to the protestations mentioned in the first instructions given to Gardiner, and must show plainly to the Pope and the Cardinals the great peril which may ensue therefrom, ten times more than any peril which could arise from the Emperor's discontent at a contrary course. If the King is refused the grace and lawful favor of the Church, the Pope will lose both England and France, and their confederates. Those also who have particular quarrels with the Pope will not fail to do the like.
	If the commission is granted, when they have obtained possession of it, they must insist that the King may enjoy the benefit of the decretal which Campeggio has.
	It is thought here that if the Pope dies, the Cardinals have power to decide the King's matter sede vacante, and Wolsey desires Gardiner to consider with his colleagues and counsel the Chapters: Ubi periculum de electione; Ne Romani; De jurejurando; and Cap. I., De schismaticis. If it is decided that the Cardinals have this power, the ambassadors must take care that no inhibition is made by pursuit of the Emperor or his adherents. If nothing has been obtained at the Pope's death, they must pursue the effectual expedition from the College.
	The French king has commissioned the bishop of Bayonne and John Joachim to conclude the confederation between the Pope, the kings of England and France, the Venetians, and other Italian powers, for the maintenance of an army for the invasion of Spain. They must concur in these matters with the French ambassadors, who are ordered to join with them in the King's causes. Desires them to write oftener, as frequently there is no news from them for a whole month. They might find means to send letters by such as pass to Lyons. From my place beside Westminster, 6 April.
	Encloses a copy of the instructions of Mons. de Langes, brother to the bishop of Bayonne, sent hither concerning the treaty of confederation. Signed.
	Pp. 24. The address pasted on.
6 April. Vit. B. XI. 104. B. M.	5429. WOLSEY to GARDINER, BRIAN, GREGORY CASALE and VANNES.
	Campegius and he both think that the presence of the bishop of Verona will be of great assistance to them in obtaining their cause, and in proving the falsity of the brief. His experience, good audacity and estimation with the Pope will enable him to countervail the sinister labours of the archbishop of Capua and the General of the Observants. The bishop of Verona and the Archbishop are of contrary factions, and he would perhaps be glad to give him a fall. They must deliver to him the King's and Wolsey's letters, and tell him the great opinion the King and Wolsey have always had of his wisdom and his zeal for the weal of the Pope, the See Apostolic, and all Christendom; and that they, as well as the French king and his mother, could much more confidently proceed with the Pope, while he was with his Holiness, than they have been able to do since his departure from the Court, especially as he has left such a gap for the archbishop of Capua, who is an enemy to peace, and adverse to these two Princes. Since that time, for lack of such confidence, many things have passed to the damage of the Pope and the Holy See. They must, therefore, urge him to remain about the Pope, for he will be able to do the greatest good of any man of his degree, and the King and Wolsey will put their whole confidence in him. If the diet takes effect, either in the Pope's person, or by Wolsey and Campegius, in his absence, there is no man who could do more good, or whom Wolsey would be gladder of. They must also persuade him to adhere to the King's cause, which is the thing that his Grace takes more to heart than any other matter, and in which he would be as loth to be vanquished by two such friars as the General and the archbishop of Capua as to lose both his arms. Would rather expose his life than see the inconvenients that would ensue from the disappointing of the King's desire. They must promise him ample promotion and other things.
	Thanks them for the pains they have taken about the bulls of Winchester, which he received with their letters of the 15th ult. Marvels that they are [only] as in perpetuam administrationem, and not in perpetuum titulum, as he h[as those of] Durham. Wishes to know the cause.
	Advises them to obtain duplicates of everything, lest the originals be lost in these dangerous times. Westm., 6 April. Signed.
	Pp. 3. Add. Endd.
6 April. R. O.	5430. The DUKE OF RICHMOND'S COUNCIL to WOLSEY.
	Referring to a suit in the Star Chamber by Hans Gauthe and other merchants of Norwich against the abbot of Whitby and others, concerning a ship of Dantzick, called the Jesus, in which Wolsey made a decree on the 19 Oct. this 20th year of our Sovereign Lord's reign, giving order that, if it was not observed, the parties should appeal to the duke of Richmond's Council. As, notwithstanding this, the plaintiffs have obtained new process against the abbot for his appearance in the Star Chamber this Easter, request that he be allowed to appear this time by his attorney, with only two of the defendants. Sheriff hutton, 6 April. Signed: Brian Higdon—William Taite—Thomas Tempest—Jo. Uvedale.
	Pp. 2. Add. Endd.
6 April. R. O.	5431. FRANKELEYN to CROMWELL.
	His brother is contented to resign the bailiwick of Darnetone to Wm. Wytheham, the bearer, who is fit for the office. My lord Rowthall gave the office to Ric. Waldegrave, who surrendered it to Frankeleyn's brother. Asks Cromwell to assist Wytheham in obtaining a patent for it from Wolsey. Durham, 6 April. Signed.
	P. 1. Add.: To the right worshipful Mr. Crumwell, councillor to my lord Cardinal's most honorable Grace. Endd.
Rym. XIV. 290.	5432. The TEMPORALTIES of the SEE of WINCHESTER.
	i. Hants and Wilts.—Writ for the restitution of the temporalties of the see of Winchester on the appointment, by the Pope, of Thomas cardinal of York as perpetual administrator of that see, which is void by the death of Richard, the last bishop. Westm., 6 April.
	ii. Similar writs for Somers. and Dorset, Surrey, Bucks, Oxon and Berks.
	iii. Mandate to the tenants of the bishopric.
	Pat. 20 Hen. VIII. p. 2, m. 24.
6 April. R. O.	5433. SANDYS to WOLSEY.
	He and the Deputy have been busy about the fortifications. The money Rob. Fowler left is all spent, and there is none for the payment of next month. Asks Wolsey to see to it, as the workmen, who are French, Flemings and other nations, will make exclamation, and the work be stopped, to the King's dishonor and danger.
	His own expences have been so high that the 80l. with which the King rewarded him, and all his own money, is almost spent. Knows not to whom to look for help, except to Wolsey. Asks that he may have prompt payment of what is due today for the castle of Guisnes. The soldiers will exclaim for their wages when they are due, as victuals are very dear. The victuallers will not come, knowing the lack of money. Is obliged to keep forty persons and horses more than the King's ordinary, and does not think fit to diminish them till the world seems more firm. Reminds him also of the retinue of Calais, who were never in such poverty as now.
	As to Wolsey's promise that on giving up the ferme of Mark and Oye, he should still have the casualties thereof and of the county of Guisnes, by a special bill, has taken none from the former; but as to Guisnes, the under-treasurer of Calais says he proposes to call for the casualties into his own hands. They do not amount to more than 20l. Calais money. Does not so much care for the value, but does not wish it to be thought that the King esteems him so little. Asks Wolsey to tell the under-treasurer to pay him his annuity of 56l. from the money he brings over. There is no substantial news. Calais, 6 April. Signed.
	Pp. 3. Add.: To my lo[rd Le]gate is good Grace. Endd.: Letters from my lord Sandys, 6 April.
Cal. D. X. 402. B. M.	5434. [SIR ROBERT WINGFIELD] to WOLSEY.
	* * * "...about to close my b[udget] ... [brou]ght me the letter herein en[closed from the Spanish ambassador from Gr]aveling, who would not suffy[r] ... [say]inge that he is so commanded, and w ... [w]rytythe to retain the Lombard wh ... [s]ame mentioned in my letter to your [Grace] ... heard say that I had retained the men of ... [it is] but a feigned matter, for he reeteey[ns] ... [o]n Saturday, nevertheless he said unto ... [that] he had warned the said messenger at his las[t coming that] he should come no more that way and in comm ... trumpet said to marvel that the King [would suffer they] should be retained or troubled, considering th[at the Emperor's] subjects both in England and here have as f[ull liberty to pass] and repass as ever they had; and the captain [then said] ironiusly: What, count ye not Spaniards them[peror's subjects]? Also ween you that it is not known how th[e Emperor's subjects] hath been dealt with, though the King knows ... shall know shortly that the Emperor hath ... in no point so to the King's emba[ssador] ... also spake many other things of ...
	"[T]herefore now that I have ad ... God ... a" * * *
	Hol., mutilated. Add.: "To my lord Legate's most reverend grace."
Cal. D. x. 277. B. M.	5435. [SIR ROBERT WINGFIELD to WOLSEY.]
	"[Pleasit]h your most reverend [Grace to understand that on the] ... [I wr]ott my last letters to the sam[e, and I sent the same], to accompany a letter of the Spa[nish ambassador] beinge at Gravelinge, which letter ... and I have written another to him, [for notwithstanding] all his saying mentioned in his said [letter] ... in the same appeareth how every (sic) useth to s ... as they understand or would have theey[re] ... [Yet] nevertheless it seemeth by his said letter [that they] have not changed their old custom, [for they keep] but few things secret, if they may [serve to their] own purpose, though by the mean they do [injury to such] as be their friends; howbeit they use soo[che crooked] policy because that by the mean they c[ause] suspicion, displeasure, and hatred to grow betwix[t friends] and such as they use for friends, whilst they ha ... Also where by a former letter I advised [your Grace that] there was at Gravelinge 100 horsemen ... truth it was that thither they came a... were conveyed to lie in divers places ... betwixt Gravelinge and Saint Omers ... remaineth not at Gravelinge * *
	"Calais ..."
	Hol., mutilated.
7 April. Galba, B. IX. 168*. B. M.	5436. JOHN HACKETT.
	Attestation by Peter Van Lare, notary of Antwerp, that Hacket exhibited to William Clee, merchant of England, a letter under the King's great seal, commanding him to appear before the King; which he promised to obey. At the house of the English nation at Antwerp, Wednesday, 7 April 1529. Witnesses: Robt. Flegge, lieutenant of the governor of the English nation, Laurence Worten, Edmund Spenser, and Richard Wingfield.
	Copy, Fr., pp. 2.
7 April. R. O.	5437. HUGH SHAW and JOHN COPLEY to CROMWELL.
	Ask his advice for the bearers, and to assist them in the law, for which the writers will repay him. Boston, 7 April 1529. Signed: By your own, to their little power, Hugh Shaw, alderman of the guild of Our Lady in Boston, and John Copley, alias Litster.
	P. 1. Add.: To master Cromwell be this letter delivered. London. Endd.
8 April. Galba, B. IX. 202. B. M.	5438. CHARLES V.
	Commission to Margaret of Savoy to treat with Louisa duchess of Angoulême, and others, for a peace with France. Saragossa, 8 April 1529, apres Pâques. "De nos regnes, des Romains 10^me, et des Espaignes et autres 13^me."
	Copy attested by des Barres. Fr., pp. 3.
Vesp. C. IV. 329. B. M.	2. Copy of the above.
8 April. R. O.	5439. GUISNES CASTLE.
	"The verdict of Thomas Bitebere, Thomas Goynes, Hugh the maister, Joyse Brannyngham, William Huttofte, Henry Thorneton, John Harmenet, Loy Valontyne, and Peter Wading, of the Skunage of Calais, and Henry Frowyke, Robert Smythe, Adam Steward, Henry King, Richard Colffe, Henry Porter, John Wynter, John Smythe of Bessinges, and Michael Byne of the county of Guisnes, made and given out of and upon certain articles of inquisition for the King our sovereign lord, devised and proposed by the right honorable Sir William Sandys, knight of the Order, lord Sands, chamberlain unto the King's highness and lieutenant of the castle of Guisnes, Sir Robert Wingfield, knt., the King's deputy general of the town and marches of Calais, and other of the King's most honorable council of the same, at Henry Frowike's place besides the causeway, 8 April 20 Hen. VIII."
	Sir Gilbert Talbot holds of the King a house place with 117 acres in Dickland within the scunage of Calais, which is daily overflowed by the sea in consequence of the breaking up of the sluice at Dickland. He has never since been able to let it, whereby the King loses a rent of 5l. 10s. gr. It is now worth but 4d. gr. an acre a year.
	Similar statements about land held by the heirs of Peter Dickland, and the heirs of Richard Marsh, in Dickland, by the widows of Thos. Basse, Thos. Mustian, and Thos. Baker, on the west side of the Mill Street, by Rauf Noble at Martyn's Hoke, the heirs of Sir Ric. Wingfield, in Dykeland, in the county of Guisnes, and by Toynen de Campe, in the same place.
	Do not think the land overflowed can be reclaimed without danger to the haven, unless the King will make a sluice at Dickeland, make the banks of two old rivers, the great and small Molier, for a mile, and mend the banks of the new river from the sluice to the head that is new made, going to Sandgate. These rivers, if banked, would not only keep the country dry, but do much good in amending the haven, if certain heads were made in the haven of grey hard stone, that the water might keep one course right out.
	Pp. 4.
.. April. Add. MS. 28,578, f. 197. B. M.	5440. THE DIVORCE.
	"Relation de lo que se ha hecho y tractado con Su Santitad embiola Micer Mai."
	* * * When Musetula came, he informed him that, as regards the affair of England, the Pope was willing to revoke the cause at the first Signatura, "y mas me dixo el Musectula que los Angleses dezian que al Emperador no se le dava nada desto." I therefore asked the Pope in my memorial to impose silence on the king of England, or revoke the cause; and as he doubted of the consent of the Queen, who had sent no proctor or power, letters afterwards came from the same Queen for the Pope, in which she declared her will and her constraint (estrechura), and the bishop of Burgos wrote that they had compelled her to write into Spain for the brief. This I told the Pope and the Cardinal Santa Cruz, and gave him the Queen's letter. Afterwards, seeing that they were rather cold, Jacobo Salviati said to me two or three times that it would be better the Queen should enter a monastery "por el peligro de su salud; y que no debia estrechar por el mesmo respecto, a saber, es temor de yerbas." I caused the cardinal Santa Cruz to remind the Pope of it, and Andrea del Burgo to see a letter from the king of Hungary, showing what hopes the Lutherans built on the issue of this business. He accordingly arranged with the Pope to give in a protest on the subject, and that it should be delivered to the Pope and Cardinals.
	Perceiving that the English ambassadors made daily solicitations to the Pope, I asked him on 7 April what it was about; and he told me they had pressed him to declare the brief a forgery, as it was incredible that the brief and bull should be dated on the same day, and it was evident it had been made in Spain to supply what was wanting in the bull, for a brief was easily written, and a goldsmith had made a seal for it, and it has not so many signatures. Moreover it does not appear on the register, although there are entries of that day, and before and after, and other arguments. I declared to the Pope that it was shameful they should use such chicanery, and demand that their mad fancies should be authenticated by his Holiness. I said also he must pardon me for remarking that he treated us very disrespectfully, and the French and English mucho a la evangelica. On his asking why, I said it was a common proverb that a good man is always less regarded (siempre va en diminution), which is our case with his Holiness, who, finding us bland and obedient, has always taken advantage of us, while he has treated his enemies like the Prodigal Son. I said, as to their inferences, it is no new thing to make a bull, and in order to avoid all cavilling and subterfuge to dispatch a brief or private letter the same day; that I myself had signed a thousand such, and that it was the practice of all courts. The Pope confessed it was so here. As to its not being found in the register, I said his Holiness knew well it was not the custom to enter briefs in the register, or at least all of them. Nevertheless he admitted that they might have been stolen from the register. As to the documents not being in England as well as in Spain, it might be that they did not want to find them. Moreover, I have since found a brief here reciting these documents of Julius; which is a complete reply to the complaint of the king of England, because they say that queen Isabella being ill desired to see this dispensation before she died, for which reason it was sent into Spain, and a promise was given to keep it secret, which may have been the reason why it was not registered, or that the register was hidden. As to the allegation that the Emperor did not care about the matter, I said his Holiness might judge by what had been told him by his Nuncio, by the cardinal Santa Cruz, by Musetula and by myself, that there was nothing in the world he felt more concern about. He told me, moreover, that they had expressly spoken about poison, saying that if the King were not such a good man, servants would not be wanting. I said that the Queen was ready to incur this danger rather than be a bad wife, and prejudice her daughter, and that if such a course were resorted to the Emperor would avenge it; moreover I was ashamed that they should hold such language before his Holiness.
	Finally he said that I should make the protestation, and that he would revoke the cause.
	P.S.—Letters have since come to me from Don Ynigo, in which he says that everything is going wrong there, unless the revocation of the cause could be obtained; and another letter from the Queen to the Pope, which I have given him; he has read them all, and in truth it was like breaking stones (que era para quebrantar piedras), and he gave me good words.
	On the other hand, I knew that he called Simonetta one day to discuss with them the falsity of the brief, and that they said to him, "You promised us that you would do all you could, and you can declare this brief to be false, even without calling the opposite party, by counsel of many lawyers, and if you do not do this you will not fulfil your promise."
	This the Pope declared to me, saying that Campeggio had made the king of England a general offer that the Pope would do whatever he could for him; but I find by the report of spies, that the English ambassadors complain of the Pope, that he will not concede this, and say that the king of England would not have cared about it if the Pope had not made this promise. What has further passed, and the protest, is contained in another letter more at large.
	Spanish, pp. 32, modern copy, from the archives of Simancas.
9 April. Masters' MS. f. 121.	5441. THE DIVORCE.
	"The king of England, by his ambassadors W. Knight, secretary, and J. Taylor, Master of the Rolls, advertises the French king how unkindly the Emperor deals with him, suborning a false breve for the supplement of an unsufficient bull. The suspicions are manifest. The bull sealed with lead, the breve or dispensation with wax. The bull is found in the King's records, and registered at Rome; the breve nowhere. The bull and breve dated of one day. Their suspicions, the French king acknowledges, very great, and that he will do what he can. That if the Pope could be brought to Avignon, there were no doubt but the King should have justice." 9 April 1529.
	"I find that our King would fain have stopped the treaty at Cambray, that it should not have been before his great affair had been decided; also that the Emperor should not have gone into Italy."
	P. 1. Apparently an abstract from a letter of Knight and Tayler to Henry VIII.
Vit. B. XII. 150. B. M.	2. Clement VII. to Wolsey and Campeggio.
	As the copy of the brief of Julius II. is suspected to be false, desires them to order the exhibition of the original within a certain time, and to examine its authenticity.
	Lat., draft, pp. 10.
Vit. B. XII. 146. B. M.	3. Draft of the preamble of a commission from Clement VII. to [Wolsey and Campeggio] empowering them to declare null and spurious the dispensation granted by Julius.
	Draft in Casale's hand, Lat., pp. 7, mutilated.
Vit. B. XII. 144. B. M.	5442. CLEMENT VII. to _.
	Desires him to search for and send to the Legates in England an apostolic brief relating to the divorce, which is not found in the archives of the king of England, but is said to be in the portfolio of the Emperor.
	Draft, pp. 3, Lat. Endd.
Vit. B. XII. 155. B. M.	5443. CLEMENT VII. to _.
	Desires him to warn any person possessing the original brief to send it to the Legates in England in two months.
	Draft of a portion of a letter; Lat., p. 1, mutilated.
Cal. D. X. 248. B. M.	5444. [SIR ROBT. WINGFIELD] to WOLSEY.
	* * * "... r the treaty of ... we fortress on the frontier ... [k]yngis palys or not, wher- [fore I advertise your] Grace of the premises for my dys[charge, remitting the same to] your most profound wisdom ... be circumspectly considered, and me ..." Calais, 9 A ...
	Hol., mutilated. Add.: [To my] lord Legates [most] reverend Grace.
9 April. R. O.	5445. THOS. DONYNGTON to WOLSEY.
	The dean of York and the abbots of Fountain and Byland celebrated the election at Ryvall's on Tuesday, 6 April, and it is now submitted to him. If he please to prefer Marmaduke Bradley, Wolsey can dispose of his prebend at Ripon, one of the best there, "and necessary for my master," (fn. 2) and Wolsey and "my master" will have 100l. for dilapidations of the same. Pontefract Priory, 9 April. Signed.
	P. 1. Add.: To my lord Legate a latere and Cardinal. Endd.
9 April. R. O.	5446. THOS. WYNTER to CROMWELL.
	Thanks him for his late kindness to Master Florence, (fn. 3) and his diligence in matters concerning Wynter, of which Florence has told him. Asks him to write the news occasionally. Paris, 9 April.
	The bearer, Mr. Bekynsall, is of substantial learning and honest. He has a matter to speak to Cromwell about, for which Wynter asks his favor. Signed.
	P. 1. Add.: To the right worshipful Mr. Cromwell. Endd.: T. Wynter.
10 April. Porcacchi, p. 29 b.	5447. SANGA to CAMPEGGIO.
	I am certain that you are in great suspense of mind, and very anxious to learn that his Holiness has taken some resolution in the matters of which you have written, and which the English ambassadors here are negotiating. But I think you will be less surprised that nothing has been determined, the more you understand this matter, and are able to comprehend the obstacles which prevent the Pope, though personally well inclined, from doing his utmost to gratify the King, to whom he privately, and the Apostolic See publicly, owe so many obligations. While his Holiness was ill, and during his recovery, when every slight fatigue of business might cause a relapse, he thought the King would regard his delay as excusable. Consequently he has not hitherto been so anxious as he has now become, because, on the one hand, he had, out of his desire to satisfy the King, commissioned the cardinals de Monte and S. Quatuor and Simonetta to hear and report upon the petitions of the English ambassadors; and, on the other hand, greater difficulties arise every day, as the Imperial ambassadors have devised protestations, and make much opposition on various grounds whenever the Pope proposes to take some resolution; so that his Holiness finds himself in very great trouble, especially as, owing to your inability to sustain the torrent of the King's demands, the whole is referred hither. The Pope is greatly annoyed, and cannot imagine how it has come to pass, that any hope should be entertained there of the revocation by him of the bulls of pope Julius, which stand in the way of the King's desire. His Holiness is told that the ambassadors have been sent here with this hope. He would have wished this hope to be destroyed there, as you could have acquainted them with the causes which restrain him. He is highly displeased that the King and the cardinal of York should entertain hopes of things which he cannot grant; for the more often they do so, the more grievous it seems to them not to obtain what they wish; and it is important to render them less dissatisfied with the Pope's inability to act by not promising them so much at first. You can perform these offices, and thus relieve the Pope of part of his cares, without taking any responsibility upon yourself. The laws and ordinances of the Church, in which you are well skilled, permit of no other course. Your Lordship is prudent, and on the spot; strive, therefore, as much as you can, to subvert any troublesome suits (fastidii) which you find they determine to send to his Holiness.
	With respect to the protestations of the Imperial ambassadors, who take the Queen's part, I hear they have put their arguments (cose) in order, but are not yet ready to publish [them]. When they do so, you shall have copies of them. The Pope's inclination to satisfy the King, if possible, is so great that he would not waver in the least, not even for the sake of gaining ten cities; but the King and the Cardinal must not expect him to execute his intentions until they have used their utmost efforts to compel "N." (the Venetians) to restore the Pope's territories, so that his Holiness has no other object than to satisfy the King, if it be possible. In case they are not satisfied with the Pope's goodwill, having expected some perfect remedy, I answer that if we had possessed such a remedy, and been aware of the fact, they should have received it a long while ago; but hitherto his Holiness, notwithstanding their numerous propositions on this subject, has found none which does not involve the utmost peril, and therefore is greatly surprised at the distrust with which they regard him. Their groundless suspicions are based solely on the Pope's having witnessed the release of the Cardinals and the restitution of the fortresses, as if the Pope did wrong to receive them. He did so in order to prevent any suspicion of his being in agreement with the Emperor. But, come what will, the Pope is confident of his own integrity. If the King is not content with him he is certainly in the wrong, as he will daily be more and more convinced. Rome, 10 April 1529.
	Ital.
10 April. Cal. D. XI. 51. B. M.	5448. KNIGHT and TAYLER, Master of the Rolls, to WOLSEY.
	* * * "[St.] Paule ac ... ius and duke of Milan ... [Mi]lane with the number of 23,000 m[en] ... and that city expugned, wherein the ... whole army shall convert towards ... [as] the King saith. Segnior Rayns is prosp[erous] ... We have differred sending of this letter sith So[nday, when] we had audience of the King, because hitherto th[e lady] Regent, being somewhat vexed with the gout, could not [be] spoken with all, but we shall daily sue and desire [in] the King's name and yours that she will put to her aid [and] help to continue the King her son in the loving my[nd] that he pretendeth to bear unto the King our master, to all [his] causes, and to your Grace and your causes likewise." Blois, 10 April. Signed.
	Mutilated. Add. Endd.
Cal. D. XI. 34. B. M.	5449. [KNIGHT] to _.
	* * * "[nigh]tes upon the sea ... [a]rripvall at the French court ... St. Germayne, where we delivered the ... [letters] unto the French king, the lady Regent a[nd the Grand] Master, with as hearty recommendations as we c[ould]."
	After answering the King's questions about their master's and Wolsey's welfare, told him that their great study was that discords between princes, and especially between him and the Emperor, might cease, and be brought to a reasonable end consistent with his honor, profit, and pleasure; and that lately it occurred to them, as if by special grace of the Holy Ghost, that if the Pope, who is now in fear of the Cæsar[ians], were encouraged in any way, as, for instance, by the provision by these two Princes for the assurance of his person of a presidie of 1,000, 1,500, or 2,000 elect men for the war ... * * * "as yet ... est by the French king ... a necessary and next way to a ... [t]he acceptation of truce. Moreover h[e, as the head of] Christ's Church, and ensuing the steps of [Christ, who,] ascending into Heaven, did leave and give peace [unto his] disciples, whose vicar he was, he should entreat ... [and] be a mediator between princes for the universal peace." In order that he may speak more assuredly, and to suit the princes whom it most concerns, "we" intended to persuade the Pope to come to Nice or Avignon, which would be near both the French king and Emperor; and Wolsey, as the King's deputy, would go thither, though his years are spent, and his person enfeebled, and, for the sake of peace and his love to the French king, would refuse no labour or charge that might advance peace, "and specially the reasonable and virtuous desires" * * *
	Hol., mutilated.
Cal. D. XI. 33. B. M.	5450. [KNIGHT to WOLSEY.]
	* * * "[re]asorted unto ... ng any ambassador unto an ... [c]ame unto Blese, which was the 7th ... nn ... his Grace being at dinner. We e[ntered] into the chamber where he dined, and ... behalf accordingly and good and gracious con ... part, we abode till he had washed. After that h[e retired] into a secret chamber and sent for us, to whom, [with] humble reverence and hearty [recomme]ndations on the King['s behalf] and yours, we delivered our letter of credence." The secretary then declared their instructions in ample form, first showing the zeal and affection of their master and Wolsey for the advancement of the French king's affairs, and that they both advised the allurement of the Pope to the devotion of the two Kings, which would hinder the Emperor in many purposes; that in order that peace might be conveniently "mayned" by his Holiness, for the French king's profit, and for the safety of those who will assemble for that purpose, the English ambassador in Rome had induced the Pope t ... * * * yon there dep ... occasions and opportunities ... [m]yzt with much facility be compassed ..." To persuade [the Pope] that Avignon is the fittest place, no better means can be found than Jacomo Salviati, by whose advice the Pope's affairs are ordered. Said that Wolsey is content to be the Pope's colleague, as his Holiness desires it, for his zeal for the French king, and he trusts that his labours will procure the release of the French king's children, and a good prospect of peace. If the Emperor prove obstinate, "then it may be provided. foreseen, a[nd] ...
	Hol., mutilated.
Cal. D. XI. 30.	5451. [KNIGHT to WOLSEY.]
	"... onto pr ... intended shall immed[iately] ... [Emp]eror, and that done the Emperor w ... re if he were the whole country ... [r]esistance or contradiction would be obedient ... all Christian princes not able to withst[and] his p[ower]. Item, it pricketh sore the French king's stomach [that he had to] agree unto the last truce, for by reason thereof [he hath] lost the duke of Gueldres which was his confeder[ate and] ally; and also the country of Flanders, which w[as weak] before the truce, is now greatly fortified by virtue of ... and thus he intendeth not in any maner wise to condes[cend] unto a truce, but is full minded at the next time convenient of this year to enter his own person into Spain, assuring himself, if God do not withstand, to re ... victory or to give peace at his pleasure, and is mov[ed] by this reason, he saith, that the Spaniards being in th[eir] country not accompanied with Almains, beth nothing valiant, and also they beth unprovided of all necessaries for the war; furthermore there is neither strong city, town, castle, or fortress within the country. On the other part the French king is assured to have 3,000 light h[orse] * * * ... ends the French king ... the King our master for the Fren[ch] ... help accordingly. And finally th ... and honorable personages if ... be agr[eeable] unto reasons but obstinately stick un[to his] desires, [th]en might the rest, which were desirous of [peace and] inclined unto reason, determine a common purse, according ... and with the same make a war perpetual against the Emperor beyond the mountains as it hath been done heretofore ... in the inward bowels of Spain. It seemed [no small] pain unto the French King to give audience unto us v[nto] this point without interruption, and therefore we pa[used] here. The French king thanked the King's highness, his most [loving] brother and friend, and your Grace also for your continual stud[y], labours and pains, tending utterly unto his honour, and the advancement of his desires; but as touching th[e] premises he supposeth that the Pope, albeit the offer is very hon[orable], will not accept a presidie, for two causes, principally; the one is because the accepting of a guard of 2,000 men cannot take away the fear that he hath of the Cæsarians, they being strong a[nd] in great number; secondarily, for in the accepting of a [presidy] * * *
	Hol., mutilated.
Cal. D. XI. 29. B. M.	5452. [KNIGHT to WOLSEY.]
	* * * [gre]at enterprise. W ... perceive though he have not h ... this enterprise in his own prop[er person] .. es persuasion unto the Pope to come unto N[ice], al[beit] the French king should give suret[y for his] safe coming and returning. He taketh this ve[ry] ... and of [no]ne importance, saying that the Pope [would] as soon leave his diadem as change or remo[ve] so far from the city of Rome, and as for assura[nce] he counteth not the Pope wise if he would trust thereunto. For further declaration of his mind and desire, he sendeth shortly a gentleman of his chamber unto the King's highness and your Grace. To our motion made touching that the Emperor had offered his sister queen dowager of Hungary in marriage unto the king of Scots, the King said [that] he was well assured that it pierced sore the Emperor's stomach to see the king of England so firmly confed[erate] with him, but as touching the suit made by the Empe[ror] * * * ... adding unto them ... [the duke o]f Albany would not glad ... [t]hat he hath been hitherto forbid to [pass at my m]aster's request, nevertheless, if it [please the King,] he shall pass through England ... unto [the king of] Scots in the behalf of ... es and ... [if] ever the King our master will ha[ve] him revok[ed the] French king will promise to [re]voke him im[mediately]. And finally touching that matter, he said that he [had declined] hitherto to meddle with the matters of Scotland bec[ause] he would avoid all manner suspicion that the Ki[ng] might else have conceived in him.
	Immediately upon this, he of his own mind, wyt[h] fervent desire to know, asked how [the] matter bet[ween] the King and the Queen did frame. We [thereupon] answered that where of late the lord Legates entend[ed] to begin process, the Queen did come unto the lord legate Campegius, and showed unto him th[e] copy of a brief granted by pope Jule, which if" * * *
f. 31.	* * * "the insufficienty of the ... eede, the brief supplying the ... [and] sealed only with frail wax, both ... day. The bull also being in Englan[d] ... custody, as that thing that was a muniment ... declaration of the sure succession of the Prince, and ... above this by great industry registered in Rome; t[hat] neither being after most solicit ensearch found in E[ngland], nor memory of the same in the register at Rome, ... peradventure as the brief is surrepted, so it may be with colour im ... registered in that part of the register that the archbp. [of] Capua now detaineth in Rome, supposeth that those sus[picions] beth so vehement that no indifferent judge would have [any] respect unto the said brief. And forasmuch as th[e] malicious behaviour of the Emperor doth inwardly pierce [the] King our master's stomach, we doubt not but it would be no less displeasant unto [his] Majesty, and what his opy[nion] was we desired to know. He answered that the Pope [did] neither discreetly or lovingly entreat the King in whom w[as] power full and sufficient to ease all this matter, and tha[t] the suspicions of the brief being so many and manifest * * * [c]ontynuan[ce] ... able study and desire of h ... [he] highly allowed your counsel, saying t[hat he was desirous o]f the said convention, and no less des[irous to have it] in Avignon; moreover, that he would w[rite] ... unto his ambassador being in Rome to move ... the Pope for the same, purposing immediately upon [hearing] from him to send for the lord legate Salviati, son [to] Jacomo, which Legate followeth this court continually a ... now, and trusteth that by mean of the son he shall [gain] the father at his devotion. Wherein, as it seemed unto v[s, the] King hath very good hope. Thus your Grace perc[eives] that the French king is content that the convention be lab[oured for], also that it be holden in Avignon, and for persuading of [the Pope] unto the same will write and command his orators in Rome [to do] their possibility, and finally will attempt all manner ... for obtaining the aid of Messer Jacomo Salviati in the pre[mises]. This good s .. [answ]er had, we prosecuted declaration of the re[sidue of] our charges, saying, Sir, your Highness hath experimented by mean ... and daily may be assured to do the great goodness of your most lovin[g brother] the King our master, which no less esteemeth and taketh inwardly to h[imself any] displeasure that chanceth unto you, than if like did fortune v[nto] himself, whom the Emperor full unlike a Catholic prince s ...
f. 32.	* * * "need to do upon a ... suffer to be done in the comm ... here without avisement and [counsel of t]he King's highness and your Grace. And ... send messengers from my lady Margaret ... they passed through for particular causes of my L[ady] ... is here yet, which pretendeth that he cometh for res[titution] of divers goods lately taken from the Flemings by F[renchmen], to whom the King offered justice, other before thadm[iral] or before himself. And for because the said messenger ma[de] no further suit, the King supposeth that he is come rather [to] espy how the provision of the wars here goeth forwards than for any other thing. He said also that here [is] one come from the king of Portugal, whose charges your G[race] shall shortly know, as he saith, by his ambassador there." He thinks the Pope is not fully recovered; and if he die, he will assure Wolsey of the voices of 12 cardinals, either for himself or for another, even for the advancement of Campegius, though he esteems him imperial rather than his [friend] * * "mended and all ... not to cease but to follow th ... e truth and discharge of his ... hereunto these words. Let us bring ... and this matter shall be ordered at the King's [desire]." Francis promises to adhere to him usque ad sanguinem, and desires to know what he wishes him to do. His countenance and words show much z[eal] for the King and Wolsey. The confirmation of the same will depend upon the gr ... given to mons. de Langesse. Omitted, as superfluous, to say to him that if the King's [matter] were not absolved before the convention, that then y[t should] be perfected accordingly, for he desires nothing more than a convention at Avignon, "saying let him ... and if this may be compassed, he doubteth not but the ..."
	Mutilated. All in Knight's hand.